A Bengaluru woman has been accused of killing her pet dog and hiding its decomposing body in her apartment for several days, in a case which is believed to be of occult ritualistic practices.

The woman, identified as Triparna Paik from West Bengal, allegedly slit her Labrador’s throat, wrapped the remains in cloth, and kept them inside her Mahadevapura residence for almost four days, India Today.

The incident surfaced when neighbours reported a strong odor coming from the building. When civic officials from BBMP arrived to investigate, Triparna resisted entry and threatened self-harm, leading to police intervention. It was then that the authorities found the decomposed body of one dog and discovered two other dogs in poor condition inside the apartment.

“The dogs are undergoing treatment at the BMP hospital,” the complainant, Dr Rudresh Kumar, said.

The woman reportedly lost another Labrador about four months earlier.

The flat was adorned with religious images and puja items, raising concerns about possible ritualistic motives. A post-mortem confirmed the dog’s death occurred around four days earlier. Officials attributed the severe stench to the sealed, unventilated condition of the apartment, which also posed health risks to other residents, the report said.

A case has been filed against the woman under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Mahadevpura police station.. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) has stated that the surviving animals are being assessed for rescue and rehabilitation, NDTV reported.

They are investigating whether the crime was an act of black magic or if the accused’s mental state is responsible for it. 

The incident has raised serious questions about the safety of pets and animal rights in the city. Animal lovers and organisations have also expressed their anger on social media, demanding strict action against the accused woman.